Embassy Events

The U.S. Department of Agriculture donates $5 million for agricultural development projects in Potosí, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca

August 31, 2007

Cochabamba - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just signed an agreement, under its Food for Progress program, with Food for the Hungry International (FHI) in Bolivia for approximately $5 million worth of wheat, on a Cost & Freight (C&F) basis. C&F is used by the International Chamber of Commerce to designate the product’s gross value.

Under the agreement, FHI will sell 11,500 metric tons of wheat. Then, during a period of approximately three years, FHI will use these resources to implement several projects in the towns of Torotoro, Ravelo, and Ocurrí in Potosí; Tapacari and Capinota in Cochabamba; and Tomina, Padilla, and Sopachuy in Chuquisaca.

Among FHI’s activities are projects to improve access to financial services; increase agricultural productivity by means of a more efficient harvesting system, with improved irrigation technology, and equipment maintenance training for farmers; consolidation of producer and micro-entrepreneurs’ associations, which will include training on business procedures, introduction of new products, and export ability development; and the creation of strategic alliances with public and private sector organizations, aimed to improve the ability of farmers to access the domestic and international markets.